Shiva remained silent as Lilia and Marcus both gracefully stepped into their home, cleared of the romantic decorations Garen had requested. The maids and butlers greeted their respective masters and bowed to them upon their entrance to the manor. Nana rushed in to serve them their comfort tea and biscuits as they rested on the long-couch located in the living room, adjusting their attire before calling out to Shiva.
"You, commoner, come here" called Lilia harshly, yet retained a neutral facial expression.
Nana gestured for Shiva to do as they bid, shooing her to them and setting her across from them.
For some time, both parties remained silent. Shiva's heart began to pace as she sat up-right to mimic their graceful pose and earn at least a brownie point. Neither of them spoke as her in-laws languidly enjoyed their snack time. Lilia cleared her throat and set her cup of tea on the coffee table located between herself and Shiva, then shot a fierce glance at her daughter in-law.
"Who are you and what's your affiliation with our proud city-state" asked Lilia nonchalantly.
"My name is Shiva Armetige, and I have no affiliation with Demacia aside being your son's wife" replied Shiva.
"I've heard you're immortal; a creature from another realm – is this true?" asked Marcus.
"That is correct. I hail from the realm of Gala" said Shiva.
"Have you produced Garen any offspring yet?" said Lilia.
"No, ma'am, I have yet to...engage in such an activity" said Shiva.
"If you are to produce offspring, will they inherit your longevity?" asked Lilia with a slight frown.
"No, for I wasn't born with this curse" sighed Shiva.
"What are you to do once Garen has passed and the children are grown? Surely you'd be titled Head of the Crownguard" Lilia continued the interview.
"I do not wish to inherit anything, nor am I interested in being anything more than Garen's wife. The children will inherit everything for sure" speaking of children when she hasn't even kissed him proved uncomfortable.
"Good. I'd detest for a mere common to marry into our family just to inherit all that we've worked for. Did you sign the prenup?" Lilia narrowed her eyes.
"Prenup? I don't believe so. We never had a formal wedding, I was simply given a ring and brought here" said Shiva.
"So, you're not married by law. Technically you're just a bourgeoisie our son picked up, ringed and housed. You're not Garen's wife" scoffed Lilia.
Nana stood nearby and grew nervous over the situation, especially when she couldn't escape to fetch Garen. Poor Shiva, his parents were tearing her apart!
"I suppose it's beneficial that you haven't conceived any children, perhaps Garen can find a more suitable wife, one of nobility. Not everyday does a commoner such as yourself marry into an esteemed family such as ours, certainly not a creature such as yourself. Besides, aren't you restricted from meddling into the affairs of other realms?"Lilia turned to face Marcus, as if gesturing for his opinion.
"The information we've gathered claims that a creature of your status may not interfere in the affairs of any main development of other realms, including our own. Marrying into the Crownguard is quite border-line to it, don't you think? If you are to influence Garen and stray him from the path we carved for him, you may be punished for his crimes, especially since we were informed that he left his post at the Vanguard's HQ to work-from-home, how atrocious!" frowned Marcus. "Clearly you've already derailed him from his duties as Captain of the Vanguard".
Shiva's eyes widened as she shook her head.
"No, I did none of the sort, Garen chose to bring his work here without my knowledge. I merely accepted it" said Shiva defending herself.
"Am I to really believe you've been here a year and you've yet to conceive a child? You must be infertile, who knows if you'd even be able to provide him children! Not to mention how many times you may have been married, or how many men you may have slept with prior to our Garen" spoke Lilia bitterly.
"Please, I assure you I've never been married before, and I believe I'm quite fertile...but I wouldn't know from the lack of partners I've had...my history consists of only one man before Garen" that person was Talon, and to be honest, she didn't know how fertile she was.
Come to think of it, Talon and her lacked the use of protection and often released his seed inside of her, but perhaps luck was on her side to avoid conceiving his offspring. Perhaps she was infertile.
"Regardless, we believe a more pure and noble woman should marry into this family; properly" emphasized Lilia.
Nana continued to spectate the butchering, twiddling her thumbs as all the hard work they've done within these past several months was slowly going down the drain and there was no way of alerting Garen of this.
Upstairs, Garen wondered where his wife was, and why no one has bothered him within the past hour. Surely Shiva should be home by now, but perhaps she stayed extra time at the bakery for the Baker's son...ugh! Pacing back and forth, imaginary situations would plague his thoughts as he pressed his palms against the window and peered out to gaze into the barren streets. Their bed had been decorated with rose petals forming the shape of a heart on the bed as he desired to plant the most passionate and loving kiss to Shiva's lips, but these provoked thoughts only angered him, yet worried him. What if something happened to her? Her curious nature was not to be underestimated, and perhaps lead her astray from the path home – it was quite likely. It's been an hour, and he was worried. Deciding to go look for his wife, he strapped on his armor and bolted out of his room, completely ignoring the fact that all of his decorations had been cleaned up. Rushing down the flight of stairs, he heard voices coming from the living room, familiar voices. Cautiously stepping in, poking his head in, he saw Shiva sitting along and with a defeated facial expression all while his parents had leaned forward, oppressing his wife! Garen intervened.
"Good evening, mother, father. Always a pleasure to see you" he plopped down beside his seemingly petite wife.
"Garen, how dare you ring a commoner and bring her to our home, and without informing us! We simply heard through rumors, do you know how that feels? It's as if you didn't want us to know!" cried Lilia to her son.
"Forgive me, mother, father, but I intended on keeping this a secret until our marriage was official" explained Garen. "Is this why you came to visit? To see the type of woman I'd be marrying?".
"We had to ensure she is a suitable wife, and from what we've speculated, she fails to meet our standards. Garen, we figured you to know better than to choose a commoner for a wife. You are to marry a noblewoman, one who can proudly carry the title of Crownguard; not a creature who can't even conceive children! Let alone steal all that we've worked for! Then to marry into our family, and derail you from your duties at the Vanguard? I say you leave her and find someone we'd actually approve of" said Lilia relatively calmly.
"Mother, I still uphold my role as Captain of the Vanguard. I simply changed locations, that is all. Shiva is anything but ambitious, she refuses to take any part of my activities aside being my wife" spoke Garen, irked that his parents would degrade his wife.
"Garen, I don't think she is suitable for you, you should find yourself a more decent wife, one we could be proud of. We simply want what's best for you and our family" said Lilia at last.
Garen frowned at his mother's words, staring at the both of them sternly.
"Is this what you came to visit for? To judge my wife and tell her she isn't good enough for me and the family? I detest it. Shiva is my wife, and I don't require legal documentations to confirm it. I harbor strong feelings for her, and I validate her as a prime candidate as opposed to these other noblewomen you speak of. I marry for love, not for titles, so if it doesn't sit well with you, then I ask that you do not return until you accept the fact that I love this woman and she will someday grant me several beautiful children, and someday, your grandchildren if you come to accept them. I'm sorry if you believe I need a 'decent' wife to make me happy, especially if you can't see how happy and grateful I am to have her by my side as a companion for the rest of my life. Now, if you're done bashing my wife, I'd like to ask you to leave now, and return after the typical months or years have passed" Garen stood up.
"How dare you speak to us in that tone! We are your parents! Surely this woman has tainted the bond we've held for so long and - " Garen interrupted his mother.
"Forgive me mother, but I will not sit here idly when you've driven my wife to near tears. I must defend my woman, even if it's from you" said Garen firmly.
"Your mother is right, Garen, this...commoner is surely playing you for a fool" spoke Marcus.
"You're right, I am a fool, a fool for leaving my wife in the company of such detestable people I consider my family" sighed Garen. "Now excuse us, we had a prior engagement we have missed due to all of this nonsense".
Gently plucking Shiva from the couch, he would drape an arm around her and hold her closely, guiding her to his room where he left her at the entrance and proceeded to clear the bed of the rose petals.
Marinating in her thoughts, Shiva was on the verge of tears until Garen's performance broke her. The man stood against his parents for his sake, without hesitation. Yet, all she could do was keep her mouth shut while his parents ran theirs, she was so helpless in such a situation. Garen collected the petals from the bed, tossing them into a plastic bag before sealing it and plopping on the edge of the bed with a sigh.
"Forgive me, I did not know my parents had arrived with the intention of diminishing you. If not, I would've arrived sooner" said Garen with a faint smile.
He was very intimidating when angered, it scared her. Yet, his compassionate and tender side completely neutralized him. Questioning the rose petals on the bed, she wondered what exactly he was – oh...OH! For the past several months, she had noticed he had been eager to further develop their relationship by establishing it with a kiss. Many times she felt his need to kiss her, and sought opportunities to do so, but she figured the signs to be...odd. Poor Garen, this whole time he intended to simply seduce her for a simple kiss and instead ended up fending her from his parents. As he removed his traditional armor, Shiva stepped in front of him and looked at him with an apologetic look.
"...I'm sorry you were forced to speak against your parents" uttered Shiva softly.
Garen stared up at her and smiled.
"There is nothing to worry, at this point, I believe you're more family than they ever were" said Garen removing the last bits of armor.
All of a sudden, Shiva flung herself onto Garen and planted the sweetest kiss to his lips; it startled him. The kiss did not end and Garen felt comfortable enough to wrap his arms around her and deepen the kiss, she smelled like fresh bread. Shiva tilted her head and climbed onto his lap, further startling him as he suddenly found himself falling onto his back. Slowly withdrawing from his lips, she smiled lovingly at him and chuckled softly.
"I love you, Garen" she uttered those words he wished to hear for so long.
"I love you too, Shiva" he responded, daring to pull her back into another kiss.
The perfect kiss had been accomplished, but another sensation rose when Shiva grunted contently into their kiss. Pulling her lips a few millimeters from his own, another set of words escaped her from her lips.
"I'm ready to have our children" she whispered into his ear.
Nearly gasping from such words, Garen eagerly flipped her onto her back and stared at her.
"Are you sure?" he'd ask.
Shiva pulled him down for another tender kiss.
"I'll take it as a yes" he smiled, dipping down to extend that wonderful kiss.